Bicycle Seat Post Suspension with Rotational Hinge
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional bicycle shock absorbing systems fail to effectively dampen vibrations and impact shocks between the bicycle frame and the rider, often compromising responsiveness and stability.
Innovation Solution
A bicycle seat post assembly featuring a stem, collar, shock dampener, and hinge, where the shock dampener extends about the circumference of the collar and stem, and the hinge allows limited rotational movement to maintain rider interaction while dampening vibrations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a linear spring or shock assembly is captured by the seat tube to dampen motion, then vibration dampening is improved, but device complexity increases due to more moveable parts and complex seat post constructions
Solution Approach 1:
The suspension system is segmented into distinct functional components: a shock dampener for vertical motion dampening, and a hinge mechanism for rotational movement control. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently, simplifying the overall construction while maintaining effective vibration dampening.
Solution Approach 2:
The hinge mechanism is extracted as a separate component from the traditional integrated seat post design. By taking out the rotational control function and making it independent through the hinge, the system achieves both vibration dampening and controlled movement without requiring complex integrated constructions.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a deformable suspension linkage is provided between fixed connections of the seat and frame, then motion dampening is improved, but device complexity increases due to extensive assembly requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The shock dampener and hinge mechanism are merged into a integrated assembly that combines vertical motion dampening with rotational movement control in a single unit. This merging reduces the number of separate components and assembly steps, simplifying both the construction and assembly processes while maintaining effective impact shock dampening.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If a vibration isolation mount assembly with deformable connection is provided, then frame vibration isolation is improved, but rider interaction responsiveness is worsened due to omnidirectional instability
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge mechanism introduces asymmetry into the suspension system by allowing rotational movement in a specific direction while providing resistance in other directions. This asymmetric design isolates frame vibrations effectively while maintaining rider interaction responsiveness, as the hinge controls the degrees of freedom to prevent omnidirectional instability.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution provides effective vibrational and impact dampening between the bicycle frame and the rider, reducing fatigue and discomfort while maintaining responsiveness to rider interaction.
Implementation Method 1
shock dampener...dampens movement between the seat and frame
Implementation Method 2
hinge...allows limited rotational movement to maintain rider interaction
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~5
AI summary
A bicycle seat post assembly (12) that dampens movement between a seat (14) and a bicycle frame (16). The seat post assembly (12) includes a seat post (22), a collar (190) that passes through a head portion (95) of the seat post (22), and a dampener (162) that is disposed between the collar (190) and the seat post head portion (95). The collar (190) is pivotably connected to the seat post (22) so that the collar (190) can rotate relative to the seat post (22). The collar (22) rotates about an axis (230) that extends in a crossing direction relative to both a longitudinal axis (20) of the bicycle frame (16) and a longitudinal axis (259) of the seat post (22).